SLP Salary

Peabody vs Worcester: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Peabody, MA and Worcester, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Peabody, MA
$102,534
$49.29/hr
Worcester, MA
$104,125
$50.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPeabody, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$102,534$104,125
Hourly Rate$49.29$50.06
Entry Level (P10)$63,988$74,925
25th Percentile$83,142$86,249
75th Percentile$117,495$121,512
Top Earner (P90)$145,303$137,766
Total Employed8620
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Peabody ($102,534) and Worcester ($104,125) speech-language pathologist salaries.PeabodyWorcesterMedian Salary$102,534$104,125Entry Level (P10)$63,988$74,925Top Earner (P90)$145,303$137,766US Median $101,775

Verdict

Worcester, MA offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Peabody.

The salary gap between Peabody and Worcester is $1,591 (1.55%). Worcester's median is +2.31% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Peabody spans $81,315,Worcester spans $62,841. Peabody has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Peabody
P10 (Entry)$63,988
P25$83,142
Median$102,534
P75$117,495
P90 (Top)$145,303
Worcester
P10 (Entry)$74,925
P25$86,249
Median$104,125
P75$121,512
P90 (Top)$137,766

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Worcester ($101,563 effective) pays 7.47% more than Peabody ($94,501 effective).

Peabody
Nominal: $102,534
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $94,501
Worcester
Nominal: $104,125
CoL Index: 102.523
Adjusted: $101,563

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Peabody if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($145,303)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Higher median salary ($104,125/year)
  • Larger job market (620 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,563)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Peabody grew -1.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.1% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Peabody, MA

+-1.3%

$99,917 (2024) → $98,600 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+22.1%

$82,010 (2019) → $100,130 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Peabody or Worcester?

Worcester has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $104,125/year, compared to Peabody at $102,534/year — a difference of $1,591 (1.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Peabody and Worcester?

Peabody speech-language pathologists earn $49.29/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $50.06/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Peabody to Worcester as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Peabody and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Peabody = $94,501, Worcester = $101,563), job availability (8 vs 620 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Peabody vs Worcester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $63,988 in Peabody and $74,925 in Worcester. The Worcester area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, CCC-SLP

Career Analyst

Jordan has over 8 years of experience in speech-language pathology. He specializes in pediatric language disorders. He works in a community health clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Fatima Ali, CCC-SLPData verified by Miguel Torres, CCC-SLP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.99% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CCC-SLP, a licensed speech-language pathologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov